Note 8 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) - Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Forward exchange contracts – assets	$ 211,000		$ 1,321,000
Forward exchange contracts – liabilities	525,000		306,000
Contingent purchase price (“CPP”) – Palladium	1,909,000	3,702,000	3,739,000	3,886,000	4,148,000	3,689,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Forward exchange contracts – assets	211,000
Forward exchange contracts – liabilities	525,000
Contingent purchase price (“CPP”) – Palladium	1,909,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Forward exchange contracts – assets	0
Forward exchange contracts – liabilities	0
Contingent purchase price (“CPP”) – Palladium	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Forward exchange contracts – assets	211,000
Forward exchange contracts – liabilities	525,000
Contingent purchase price (“CPP”) – Palladium	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Forward exchange contracts – assets	0
Forward exchange contracts – liabilities	0
Contingent purchase price (“CPP”) – Palladium	$ 1,909,000